diff --git a/lib/bcoin/utils.js b/lib/bcoin/utils.js
index 42569dea..f2afa256 100644
--- a/lib/bcoin/utils.js
+++ b/lib/bcoin/utils.js
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ utils.fromBase58 = function fromBase58(str) {
   for (var i = 0; i < str.length; i++)
     if (str[i] !== '1')
       break;
-  zeroes = i;
+  var zeroes = i;
 
   // Read 4-char words and add them to bignum
   var q = 1;